Pet Blog

Scared of the tub

For some reason, bathing a dog is one of the most unpleasant tasks that comes along with owning a dog (for most owners anyhow). Some dogs will bark incessantly, shiver, whine, claw at the side of the tub, and even do their business in the tub – generally acting as if the world is ending.

Some dogs actually have allergies and skin sensitivities that water, shampoo, and/or soap will aggravate. They will put on quite the show to avoid this aggravation. Other dogs may simply have a fear of being in an ‘enclosed’ tub space. Others have a fear of water being poured on them. Other dogs are frightened of the surface that they must be in/on, as the surface can get slippery and this causes anxiety in some dogs.

It’s important to identify why your dog is behaving in such a manner, and to help it be more comfortable with bathing; from buying special shampoos, to placing anti-slip grips on the tub floor. To help your pet, understand the source of its fear. Then take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.